Mis Casas is a small-scale eco-conscious retreat in the heart of the Yucatan jungle. Located lakeside on the north end of Laguna Bacalar (Laguna de los siete colores Mis Casas offers people of all ages an opportunity to experience the special ness of the lake and surrounding jungle. While it is a peaceful and relatively remote place to visit, nestled in the jungle 4km off of Hwy 307 near the little town of Pedro Antonio de los Santos (Pedro) visitors can experience Maya culture to its fullest by venturing out on short or longer excursions to nearby villages, Maya archaeological ruins, eco-parks, and the Caribbean sea.

Mis is Maya for cat and Casas is Spanish for houses, Mis Casas was named after our love of cats, big and small. Here you will quickly realize that while all alteration of the jungle leaves an undeniable footprint, we are attempting to live in harmony with our jungle neighbours, big and small. We play our part in trying to lessen the impact of our presence. Electricity at Mis Casas is run by solar power and cooking and heating facilities are run by propane. Biodegradable soaps are used. We are totally “off grid” and there is no tele-communications located on site. We discourage the use of motor powered ATV’s and boats in favour of walking, swimming, biking, and enjoying the lake by canoe, kayak and rafting. We provide canoes for accommodation guests.

The north end of Laguna Bacalar was declared a federal biosphere area in 2005 and we feel honoured to be one of just a few locations offering accommodation in the area. The land we occupy is part of the Ejido Pedro Santos and as caretakers of this beautiful jungle locale we support and appreciate our governing townsfolk. The eco-touristico site of Uchben Kah is located just 2km north of us on the lakeside. It is a pleasant trip from Mis Casas by foot, bike or canoe. The site includes buildings that house historical information of the area, kayak and bike rentals, a restaurant and an in-water climbing gym!

Our three second story apartments that overlook the jungle and lake are all equipped with kitchen facilities. Our common area palapa (screened in gazebo) also offers cooking and bar facilities for guests to share with other guests. We also have a ground floor, private, accessible unit for those with mobility challenges.

There are many precious lakeside spots at Mis Casas to take in the sights and sounds of the surrounding ecosystem, bask in the sun or enter the lake for your swimming pleasure. The water is fresh with little underground river springs bubbling up to keep the water clear and clean and moving. This is a limestone area so the bottom of the lake has large flat rocks and soft/hard limestone ‘mud’, gentle and safe for walking with or without water shoes.

We offer discounted rates for longer-term stays and encourage people to build a relationship with Mis Casas. Since the beginning, and into the foreseeable future we encourage ‘barter stays’. For working on the land with us you receive free accommodation. We all chip in for food, beverage, gas, propane and other shared expenses.

For those of you from the northern climes think of your favourite summer cottage location and experiences, then transport these to a tropical setting and you have probably come close to what Mis Casas is. If you have always wanted to try living off grid and away from the hustle and bustle of city life this will be the place for you. Nightlife means listening to the jungle critters, and sharing stories and laughter with others staying here or choosing to enjoy the privacy and comfort of your chosen accommodation. It gets dark early in the evenings of winter and the sunrise strikes early in the morning, clearly one of the most beautiful times of day to experience the jungle around you.

Please explore our whole site and learn about what we can offer you for your chosen vacation or retirement stay.
HASTA PRONTO

< Kim Katarina >

Kathryn Ann Running or Katarina (her name of choice) has been an adventuresome type from an early age. The youngest of 4 siblings in a family that has always travelled and appreciated the joys of outdoor life, Katarina is a knowledgeable and sensitive jungle fan.

She first fell in love with the Yucatan region of America as a Queen’s University Biology student in the seventies. She participated in an on-site biology course in the jungle and cayes of Belize, studying frigate birds, small mammals and lizards. After finishing her biology degree she went on to get her teaching degree and specialized in biology, physical education and outdoor education. She is also a qualified teacher of ESL (English as a second language). Added to her mix of educational experience are a Masters degree in Industrial Relations, a diploma in Conflict Resolution and a diploma in Volunteer Program Management. When pulled away from the water and gardens she takes care of the business end of things.

Katarina loves to be on and in the water. She can plan and/or accompany you on short lake excursions. She calls her favourite eco-tour “up close and personal” in which she explores the shoreline by swim-walking close to shore, giggling as the basilisks (Jesus lizards) jump from the mangrove roots as one passes by. The shoreline is dotted with orchids, bromeliads and cacti hanging from a variety of tropical trees.

Kim Leslie is the trades and technology brawn and brain behind Mis Casas. From an early age Kim started working in the auto industry and then moved on to a variety of trades based jobs. She works tirelessly on installing and maintaining the self-sufficient infrastructure that keeps Mis Casas simple but elegant living going. As the foreperson in charge of all things mechanic she cheerfully sets out projects for people at Mis Casas working with our barter program and works alongside our dependable and hardworking head labourer Miguel. In her off-work time, that we occasionally force upon her. she is the resident wiz of all things flying. If you are a bird lover you will love her for identification skills.

Mis Casas is truly blessed to have the solid support of a group of fun-loving, hard working and always positive women who contribute to the health and welfare of Mis Casas. Isidora Spielmann is our website designer, and special events - artist in residence gem. Patty Kenny is our barter carpenter extraordinaire. Jenica Rayne and Debbie Taylor are multitalented women who work on a variety of needed projects. Jenica is an accomplished musician who blesses us with her awesome song writing, voice and guitar skills. Debbie, an experienced welder is at one with all things steel and is currently adding decorative metal work to the buildings of Mis Casas. In the winter of 2007 Kate E Wyte, who is currently volunteering to lead our restoration efforts for the townsfolk in Pedro Santos in the aftermath of Hurricane Dean will spend time on the on-site restoration crew at Mis Casas.

Debbie	Patty & Jenica	Isidora

And last but most definitely not least is Fritz Vatter or Federico as he is affectionately called. Fritz is the true leader of the pack, moving on “down to the lake” in 2000. His campground “Camping Laguna Azul” was the first eco-tourist establishment (of this current era) at our precious north end of Laguna Bacalar. His place is the hub of neighbourly gatherings. The campground offers cabanas, palapas, tent and RV camping. There is also a restaurant and bar at the campground where good meals, stellar margaritas and ice-cold beer are served daily.